Tysabri

  • Procedure started
  • Under evaluation
  • PRAC recommendation
  • CHMP opinion
  • European Commission final decision
Current status
European Commission final decision

Overview

 

EMA confirms recommendations to minimise risk of brain infection PML with Tysabri

More frequent MRI scans should be considered for patients at higher risk

On 25 February 2016, EMA completed its review of the known risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) with the multiple sclerosis medicine Tysabri (natalizumab), and confirmed initial recommendations1 aimed at minimising this risk.

PML is a rare brain infection caused by John Cunningham (JC) virus. This virus is very common in the general population and is normally harmless; however, it can lead to PML in persons whose immune system is weakened. The most common symptoms of PML are progressive weakness, speech and communication difficulties, vision changes, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. PML is a very serious condition that may result in severe disability or death.

Recent studies suggest that early detection and treatment of PML when the disease is asymptomatic (is still in the initial stages and shows no symptoms) may improve patients' outcomes. Asymptomatic cases of PML can be detected on MRI scans, and experts in the field of MRI and multiple sclerosis agree that simplified MRI protocols (which allow for shorter procedures, and also limit the burden for patients undergoing the scans) permit the identification of PML lesions. All patients taking Tysabri should undergo full MRI scans at least once a year, but on the basis of the new data EMA recommended that for patients at higher risk of PML more frequent MRI scans (e.g. every 3 to 6 months) performed using simplified protocols should be considered. If lesions suggestive of PML are discovered, the MRI protocol should be extended to include 'contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI', and testing the spinal fluid for the presence of JC virus should be considered.

New data from large clinical studies also suggest that, in patients who have not been treated with immunosuppressants (medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system) before starting Tysabri, the blood level of antibodies against JC virus ('antibody index') relates to the level of risk for PML. In light of the new evidence, patients are considered at higher risk of developing PML if they:

  • have tested positive for JC virus, and
  • have been treated with Tysabri for more than 2 years, and
  • either have used an immunosuppressant before starting Tysabri, or have not used immunosuppressants and have a high JC virus antibody index.

In these patients, treatment with Tysabri should only be continued if benefits outweigh the risks.

If PML is suspected at any time, treatment with Tysabri must be stopped until PML has been excluded.

EMA's recommendations are based on an initial review by its Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC). The PRAC recommendations were sent to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which confirmed them and adopted its final opinion. The CHMP's opinion was then sent to the European Commission, which issued a legally-binding decision valid throughout the EU.


1 PRAC recommendations issued on 11 February 2016.

Key facts

About this medicine
Approved name
Tysabri
International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name
natalizumab
Associated names
Tysabri
Class
-
About this procedure
Current status
European Commission final decision
Reference number
EMEA/H/A-20/1416/C/000603/0083
Type
Article 20 procedures

This type of procedure is triggered for medicines that have been authorised via the centralised procedure in case of quality, safety or efficacy issues.

Authorisation model
Centrally authorised product(s)
Decision making model
PRAC-CHMP-EC
Key dates and outcomes
Procedure start date
07/05/2015
PRAC recommendation date
11/02/2016
CHMP opinion/CMDh position date
25/02/2016
EC decision date
25/04/2016
Outcome
Risk minimisation measures

All documents

Procedure started

Recommendation provided by Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee

Opinion provided by Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

European Commission final decision

  • List item

    Tysabri Article-20 procedure - EMA confirms recommendations to minimise risk of brain infection PML with Tysabri (PDF/112.01 KB)


    First published: 26/02/2016
    Last updated: 12/05/2016
    EMA/137488/2016

  • List item

    Tysabri Article-20 procedure - Annex IV (PDF/72.27 KB)


    First published: 12/05/2016
    Last updated: 12/05/2016

  • List item

    Tysabri Article-20 procedure - Annex I-III (PDF/328.48 KB)


    First published: 26/02/2016
    Last updated: 12/05/2016

  • List item

    Tysabri Article-20 procedure - EMA confirms recommendations to minimise risk of brain infection PML with Tysabri (PDF/112.01 KB)


    First published: 26/02/2016
    Last updated: 12/05/2016
    EMA/137488/2016

  • Description of documents published

    Please note that some of the listed documents apply only to certain procedures.

    • Overview - lay-language summary of the stage of the procedure
    • Notification – a letter from a Member State, the European Commission or the marketing authorisation holder requesting the initiation of the procedure
    • Scientific background – further background information from the triggering Member State on the issues leading to the initiation of the procedure (if applicable)
    • List of questions – questions agreed by the Committee requesting further information from the marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s) to evaluate the issues identified
    • Timetable for the procedure – agreed timeframe to respond to the list of questions, to assess the issues and to adopt a conclusion
    • List of medicines concerned by the procedure – medicine(s) / active substance(s) concerned, and marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s)
    • List of questions to be addressed by the stakeholders – call for data to be submitted by stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals, patient organisations, individual patients) (if applicable)
    • Stakeholder submission form – form to be used by stakeholders to submit data (if applicable)
    • Scientific conclusions – scientific conclusions of the PRAC and/or CHMP and/or CMDh
    • Assessment report – PRAC or CHMP assessment and conclusions on the issues investigated, including divergent positions (if applicable)
    • Divergent positions – divergent positions of the CHMP or CMDh members for pharmacovigilance procedures (if applicable)
    • Changes to the summary of product characteristics, labelling and package leaflet (amended sections or fully revised version) (if applicable)
    • Condition(s) to the marketing authorisation(s) – condition(s) for the safe and effective use of the medicine(s) (if applicable)
    • Condition for lifting the suspension – condition to be fulfilled for the suspension of the marketing authorisation(s) to be lifted (if applicable)
    • Timetable for implementation of CMDh position – agreed timeframe to submit and finalise the variation(s) implementing the outcome of the procedure (if applicable)

    Note that older documents may have different titles.

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